DE114112
Higher Diploma in Illustration
The programme aims to provide students with the creative and practical illustration abilities they need, including concept visualisation, graphic manipulation, critical and analytical thinking, and visual expression. Visual expression, storytelling, concept visualisation, media art, illustration appreciation, lettering and typography, as well as computer graphics are all areas of study. Areas of contextual studies will be conducted in the fields of entrepreneurship, professional practice, and cultural studies. Additionally, the curriculum offers expert-level instruction in observation, investigation of communication techniques, and visual interpretation.
The programme is designed with an emphasis on generic, language and communication training, whole-person development and workplace experience to better prepare students for further studies and employment after graduation.
Please refer to General Entrance Requirement
Graduates may be employed as illustrator, concept artist, character designer, mural artist, storyboard artist, comic artist, graphic designer, event and project coordinator, pre-production artist and visual artist in areas as diverse as illustration, mural, spatial illustration, design studio, design consultant, branding, advertising, magazine, storybook design, event and exhibition promotion, film art direction, pre-visualisation for game and animation design, and packaging design. Graduates frequently work as individual illustrator, artist or design entrepreneur and set up their own studios.
Graduates may articulate to the Degree programmes offered by Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi):
• Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Digital Advertising
Graduates may pursue relevant Degrees locally or overseas. They are eligible to apply for admission to top-up Degree programme offered by the following university in collaboration with the School for Higher and Professional Education (SHAPE) [Not applicable to Mainland students]:
• University of the West of England Bristol, UK: BA (Hons) Fine Arts#
(Registration Number of Non-local Higher and Professional Education: 253254)
• University of the West of England Bristol, UK: BA (Hons) Illustration#
(Registration Number of Non-local Higher and Professional Education: 253265)
# It is a matter of discretion for individual employers to recognise any qualification to which this course may lead. Please refer to the corresponding programme page in the website of SHAPE.
Graduates may apply for admission to relevant Degree programmes of local universities:
• City University of Hong Kong: BA Creative Media
• Hong Kong Baptist University: BA (Hons) in Visual Arts
• The Hong Kong Polytechnic University: BA (Hons) in Advertising Design / BA (Hons) in Communication Design / BA (Hons) in Digital Media / BA (Hons) in Social Design
Upon admission to relevant Degree programmes, graduates may apply for credit exemption. The level of exemption will be considered on individual basis.
Students are eligible to apply for student membership of the Hong Kong Designers Association (HKDA).
Students can become associate member of the Hong Kong Society of Illustrators (HKSI) through its selection process.
1. Students may be required to attend classes on other VTC campuses. VTC reserves the right to cancel any programme, revise programme title, content or change the offering institute(s) / campus(es) / class venue(s) if circumstances so warrant.
2. This new programme with Chinese (Putonghua) as the medium of instruction (including some modules taught entirely in English) will be offered in the 2025/26 academic year. The accreditation of programmes by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications will be conducted in 2025.
3. The revalidation of the programme will be conducted in 2025. The curriculum will be updated if circumstances so warrant.
Semester 1:
• Creative and Design Thinking
• Communication Design in Context: Illustration
• Communication Design Studio: Illustration
• Digital Illustration
• Studio: Editorial Illustration
• Workshop: Visual Language
• Essential Workplace Communication: Effective Oral Interaction
• Whole Person Development - MindShift: Achieving Personal Growth & Effectiveness
• IT Essentials - Smart Living
Semester 2:
• Cultural Studies
• Illustration Appreciation
• Lettering and Typography
• Studio: Narrative Illustration
• Workshop: Print
• Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Conversation and Reports
• Essential Workplace Communication: Digital Written Correspondence
• Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement (Part 1)
Semester 3:
• Aesthetics and Semiotics
• Studio: Concept Illustration
• Workshop: Life Drawing
• Professional Workplace Communication: Storytelling and Job Search
• Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement (Part 2)
• Enrichment Module A
Semester 4:
• Communication Design Futures: Illustration
• Independent Study: Proposal
• Independent Study: Research
• Studio: Contemporary Illustration
• Workshop: Media Art
• Professional Practice: Illustration
• Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Presentations and Promotional Text Writing
• Professional Workplace Communication: Proposal and Report Writing
Semester 5:
• Portfolio Development
• Graduation Project
• Professional Workplace Communication: Pitching and Persuasive Presentation
• Whole Person Development - Enhancing Competencies in the 21st Century Workplace
• Enrichment Module B
Modules Across Semesters
• Industrial Attachment